According to the head of the Public Relations Department of the Patriarchate, Andria Jagmaidze, among the three candidates for the Patriarchal Throne, the Locum Tenens of the Catholicos-Patriarch’s throne, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri) received 20 votes, while Metropolitan Iobi of Mroveli-Urbneli (Akiashvili) and Metropolitan Grigoli of Poti and Khobi (Berbichashvili) received seven votes each.

Speaking to journalists after the Holy Synod session, Jagmaidze stated that the Synod was guided by the provisions of the Church’s governing regulations.

“As for the results, three candidates have been selected today: the Locum Tenens Shio, Metropolitan Iobi, and Metropolitan Grigoli. As you know, a vote will later be held at an expanded session, where the results will determine who becomes the future Patriarch. Metropolitan Shio received 20 votes, while the other two candidates each received seven.

The main and principled issue at today’s session was the strict observance of the Church’s governance and administration regulations. The Synod acted in full accordance with these provisions. The date of the expanded session has not yet been determined,” Jagmaidze said.

The Holy Synod has thus selected three candidates for the patriarchate: Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Metropolitan Iobi (Akiashvili) of Mroveli-Urbneli, and Metropolitan Grigoli (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi.